Congo Republic (Brazzaville) Turquoise Bridal Fashion Necklace Bracelet Gold Jewellery 77

Congo Republic (Brazzaville) Turquoise Bridal Fashion Necklace Bracelet Gold Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

An early turquoise mine in the Madan village of Khorasan, Iran

Turquoise is treated to enhance both its colour and durability (i.e., increased hardness and decreased porosity). As is so often the case with any precious stones, full disclosure about treatment is frequently not given. It is therefore left to gemologists to detect these treatments in suspect stones using a variety of testing methods—some of which are necessarily destructive. For example, the use of a heated probe applied to an inconspicuous spot will reveal oil, wax, or plastic treatment with certainty.